August’s Title Pick for Children: Home by Carson Ellis

Timeless illustrations trace a weaving path through Home by Carson Ellis. The beauty in this book is all the things that it doesn't say. With limited text and so much space for exploration and questions, this is a perfect look at the way humans across the globe create a place of shelter for themselves.

It has a real open feel for discussion, and as the book progresses there is a real invitation to create your own characters and become part of the story – this book is a great example of how literature can trick the reader inside, without even knowing it has happened - perfect for Shared Reading with both adults and children!

With so much detail to discover, thinking about 'home' from the perspective of animals as well as humans – and homes on land, sea and space. Home has a world of wonder within its covers, ready to discover as a feast for the eyes as well as the soul.

It really made me consider how important it is to all of us to create our own space, build our own homes around us, however that looks. What is home to me? Why does my home make me feel safe? The questions were rolling around in my brain long after I left the pages.

In a time when connection to ourselves is as much under threat as connection to those around us - it also made me think about how the opening of our own homes to others is even more important right now. Sharing our own space and building a community of kindness is vital for connection, and without connection, what do we really have?

By Rachel Bourke, Reading Heroes Coordinator